Bailey's Podcast Recommendations - Even More Podcasts!
When you think (or maybe hope) that I've run out of podcast recommendations, I’ll throw you a curveball! Seriously. I love podcasts. They bring me great comfort, whether I'm taking a walk, doing chores, or need a break from writing. And these seven that I'm recommending today are some great ones. Unfortunately, I couldn't find a way to fit all of these podcasts into a theme (as I did in my other two installments), but these are some of my absolute favorites, so I had to give them some love in this series. So, here they are, and Feel free to check them out at your leisure!
My Brother, My Brother and Me (MBMBaM) - Can you believe it took me until the third installation of this series to get to my all-time favorite podcast? MBMBaM is a comedy advice podcast hosted by three brothers: Justin, Travis, and Griffin McElroy. But, if we're honest, the "advice" element exists mainly as a springboard for the most hilarious riffing in the history of riffdom. It's three best friends, who grew up cultivating the same sense of humor, inside jokes, and who serve up the freshest goofs. I love these boys like family, and you can enjoy them too! (Also, it’s Lin Manuel Miranda's favorite podcast. Just sayin'.)
The Adventure Zone - Who's that? Is it the McElroys again, with their dad (Clint, of Stories from Your Gaffer), playing Dungeons and Dragons together as a family? If you love MBMBaM, great storytelling, and fun (albeit inconsistent) character voices, check out these four McElroys on their adventures.
Still Buffering - Still more from the McElroy family of podcasts! This time, we move from the McElroy Boys to the Smirl Girls! Justin's wife Sydnee, and her two sisters, Rileigh and Teylor Smirl, discuss their respective high school/college years (Sydnee being a couple of decades older than Rileigh), and how teens of today compare to the teens of the '90s and 2000s. It's an educational experience for everyone involved, and the hosts are amazingly sweet and adorable. It serves as a nice, quiet, nostalgic counterpart to MBMBaM.
Dear Hank and John - The McElroys may have reached their end on this list, but I do have another set of brothers to recommend! On Dear Hank and John, Youtube's "Vlogbrothers" John Green (author, The Fault in Our Stars (2012)) and Hank Green (author, An Absolutely Remarkable Thing (2018) answer questions from their listeners that range from simple advice to random wonderings. Like the McElroys, the Greens have a great time with their funny banter, while also providing sound and thoughtful guidance when the occasion calls for it.
This American Life - Hosted by Ira Glass, this podcast tells stories of...well, American life. It's always a surprise as to which topics the show will explore in a given episode. Stories range from personal narratives to closer looks at current headlines. Fair warning: this podcast can often become exceptionally emotionally affecting. It's by no means a bad thing, but it's not always the lightest fare.
Invisibilia - In Invisibilia, Hosts Alex Spiegel and Hanna Rosin delve into stories of the invisible things that shape our lives: ways of thinking, fears, beliefs, and much more! The hosts are fun and engaging, and the topics they explore are nothing short of fascinating.
Heavyweight - In this podcast, host Jonathan Goldstein helps people, one story at a time, as he journeys with them while they delve into the details of some problem, event, or personal question that has been weighing on them for years, sometimes decades. In addition to the genuinely fascinating drama that comes with every episode, Goldstein sprinkles his hilarious, neurotic commentary throughout the stories. It's an emotional roller coaster that's too good to miss.
Have you been amping up your podcast listening during these challenging times? What are your current podcast recommendations? Let me know in the comments below, and stay tuned later this week for our reviews of Saving Grace!
Copyright © 2020 Bailey Lizotte
